The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 580
Chapter 580: Bewitching Influence
Inside the carriage.
Shan Shan stole glances at Lu Chao Chao from time to time.
He had mistakenly altered the Book of Life and Death, and he could clearly sense his sister’s murderous intent.
It wasn’t until he knelt at the spirit hall that the killing intent lingering around him gradually dissipated.
Lu Chao Chao swiftly withdrew her aura of menace.
“Shan Shan, the sword in my hand has slain countless evil spirits across the Three Realms.”
“I hope that one day, you will not find yourself beneath it.”
“Secrets have a way of revealing themselves. Unless you do no wrong, you cannot escape my sight. These eyes of mine are always watching you.” Lu Chao Chao sat cross-legged in the carriage, the Sunshine Sword resting on her knee, humming with a faint resonance.
Shan Shan sat curled up in the corner of the carriage, a small hand reaching up to rub his nose.
His neck felt chillingly cold.
Ever since his sister returned, his days had been growing increasingly nerve-wracking.
By the time their carriage arrived at the manor’s entrance, red silk banners had already been hung, and double happiness symbols covered the gate.
“Our Second Young Master is about to be married! Lady Shi Yun is distributing steamed buns and wedding money outside the city gates. If anyone is in need, they may go and share in the joy!” Many beggars gathered outside the city, as Shi Yun had a habit of performing acts of charity on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Over time, a designated charity shelter had been established near the gate.
Upon returning home, Lu Chao Chao found the manor filled with betrothal gifts, soon to be sent to the Wen family.
“Once married, you will be the head of your household. The silver you’ve earned over the years, I have kept safe for you,” Shi Yun spoke gently.
“It has already been sorted.”
“Once Wen Ning enters the household, she will manage it.”
“I have also allocated a portion of the family estate to each of you. This share belongs to you. Hand it to Wen Ning in due time.” Shi Yun had suffered greatly under her own mother-in-law and knew the hardships of being a daughter-in-law.
After the fire in the courtyard, Shi Yun had taken the opportunity to rebuild it.
Now, it served its purpose well.
Each son had his own separate courtyard, ensuring privacy and independence for newlywed couples.
She had always been broad-minded and had no desire for her daughters-in-law to be constrained by traditional household etiquette.
“Mother, you should continue managing everything. Wen Ning doesn’t care for such matters,” Lu Zheng Yue said, feeling a sense of loss, as though marriage would distance him from his mother.
Shi Yun chuckled.
“You must never say that again. Now that you are married, you are the pillar of Wen Ning and your future children.”
“Your affairs will naturally be managed by your wife.”
“As for me, I will withdraw from your household so you may live your life freely.” Shi Yun understood well—if a mother-in-law did not step back, it would be the greatest disaster for a newlywed couple.
If a son always depended on his mother, he would never shoulder true responsibility, nor build a healthy household.
A new daughter-in-law would struggle to integrate if the mother-in-law did not step away.
Marriage was not about merging into an existing family.
Rather, it was about the parents letting go so that the couple could form their own family.
Lu Zheng Yue, though a man, was not as keenly perceptive as a woman. But he was adaptable. Upon hearing his mother’s reasoning, he understood and no longer protested.
“Then I leave it to Mother’s guidance.” Once a fair-skinned scholar, his complexion had darkened to a bronze hue, giving him the bearing of an iron-fisted general.
Shi Yun’s eyes reddened slightly. Once, she had been cast out of the Marquis Zhongyong Manor in disgrace, leading her three sons and one daughter away in humiliation.
Now, her children had grown and were preparing for marriage.
“Yan Shu, as the eldest son, you should also think about whether there is someone you fancy.”
“I do not wish to meddle, only for you to find a kindred spirit.” Shi Yun gazed at her eldest son with concern.
Lu Zheng Yue smirked, glancing playfully at his older brother.
Lu Yan Shu sipped his tea leisurely, unfazed by the teasing from his siblings.
“Mother, I have no interest in romance.” Lu Yan Shu sighed softly.
He was aware that his actions would stir waves in the capital.
As the eldest son, it was his duty to carry on the bloodline. Yet, he still had no desire for marriage.
Shi Yun sighed.
She waved her hand, signaling the others to leave. Lu Zheng Yue, Lu Jing Huai, and Rong Che all retreated.
Lu Chao Chao, meanwhile, dragged Shan Shan under the table, where they sneakily feasted on the roasted chicken offered in tribute to the ancestors.
Once the room was empty, Shi Yun spoke.
“Yan Shu, was it Jiang Yun Jin’s engagement that wounded you so deeply?” Her voice was heavy with worry.
Back then, Yan Shu had been young, yet he knew of his betrothed. Wherever he went, he would bring back trinkets she might like.
When traveling with Lu Yuan Ze to Qingxi, he brought her specialties from the region.
When he journeyed south for studies, he took time to purchase fine silk.
None were extravagant, but each gift carried immense thoughtfulness.
Seeing his mother’s worried expression, Lu Yan Shu sighed.
“Mother, Jiang Yun Jin is not worthy of such sentiment.”
“When the engagement was set, I was still a child, too young to understand love. But I already understood responsibility.”
“She was my betrothed, my future wife, the person who would stand with me through honor and disgrace.”
“I valued her, protected her, and always placed her first—that was my duty.” Even at the age of ten, he had strived to preserve his fiancée’s reputation.
If he lacked capability, she would be ridiculed.
“From the moment of engagement, I have always treated her with sincerity, whether in daily interactions or when risking my life.”
“We have long since settled our debts.”
“She never had the power to wound me.”
Shi Yun saw the steadiness in his expression and sincerity in his eyes, finally setting her worries aside.
“Then you—”
“Mother, there is no need to worry. I do not wish to force myself into a life of mediocrity. If I ever meet my fated one, I will bring her home to ease your heart.” After witnessing the boundless world through Chao Chao’s eyes, he realized something within him had changed.
What exactly had changed, he could not yet articulate.
Shi Yun knew her son. He was gentle in demeanor, but at his core, he was unyielding.
“Very well…”
Before she could finish, soft rustling sounds came from beneath the table.
There was even a bit of scuffling.
Lifting the tablecloth, Lu Yan Shu found Lu Chao Chao and Shan Shan wrestling over a roast chicken drumstick.
Shan Shan’s eyes were red as he pointed accusingly at the chicken bone in his sister’s hand. “Ah ah, hmph…”
He gestured at the bone, then at his mouth, crossed his arms, and gave a heavy huff before turning away.
“She ate the chicken and won’t even let you gnaw on the bone?” Lu Yan Shu understood his gestures in one glance.
Shan Shan reached for him with a pitiful expression.
Lu Yan Shu chuckled. “Of all people to fight over food with, you choose your sister? Back in the day, even your Yu Zhou brother had to beg for mercy when she fought him…”
Lu Chao Chao clapped her small hands and wiped her cheek. “Heh heh…”
Then, in a flash, she bolted after her eldest brother.
That night.
The wind rose, rustling the red silk banners, casting eerie shadows.
Shan Shan lay in bed, slipping into a dream where he stood before a vast, misty celestial palace.
In the dream, he had grown up.
A kindly looking celestial figure stroked his head. “Foolish child, upon seeing the Celestial Sovereign, should you not bow?”
Shan Shan remained motionless, his gaze indifferent.
Aside from Lu Chao Chao, no one could make him kneel.
The celestial figure, however, simply smiled, unfazed.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation